Agra

The allure of the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra, which lies around 230-km from Delhi, is hard to resist. One of the Wonders of the World since it was built in 1648 (by emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaj Mahal), the Taj is famous for its distinctive dome and minarets, born out of a blend of Persian, Central Asian and Islamic aesthetics. Guides will tout for your custom both inside and outside the complex.

If you can spare more than a day, Agra is certainly worth an overnight stay, and if you can time that with a full moon then even better. The Taj is possibly at its most exquisite when seen by the light of a full moon. Although it remains closed on all other nights, the Taj Mahal will open on full moon nights and two days before and after. Viewing takes place from 8.30 pm to 12.30 am in 8 batches comprising a maximum of 50 people, with 30 minutes allotted to each batch.